The idea of photographing one place throughout the year is something any of us could try .  We may not even need to go further than our own back gardens.

http://www.andrewbrooksphotography.com/view-main-gallery.php?id=104

Stan Stearns with his photo of John F Kennedy, Jnr at his father's funeral in November, 1963

I’ve just been reading about the death of Stan Stearns, in Maryland, USA at 76 years of age.   To be honest, his name wasn’t previously familiar to me, but on 25 November 1963 he was one of many press photographers assigned to record the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.

For those of us old enough to remember, it is one of those moments when everyone can supposedly recall exactly where they were when the news of President Kennedy’s death was announced.  I can remember it clearly.  I was only 7 years of age and I was in the hairdressers with my mother above the UCP cafe in Bury (UK).  At that age I probably wasn’t much aware what a president was, but the reaction of those around me on hearing the news as it came over the radio made such an impact that it embedded in my memory for ever.

And so on the 25 November, 1963 as the funeral procession approached the group of press photographers, Stan Stearns followed his intuition and managed, in a single click, to get the picture of the day.  You can read his own comments about it in the following newspaper announcement of his death:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passing-20120304,0,5185400.story

Have you taken a photo where, in a click, you just knew you had something special?  That, “Yes” moment!  We’d love to hear what the photo was and how you got it – you can leave a reply below.

Andy Latham workshops

He has some magnificent destinations lined up for his 2012 workshops and they are all within a comfortable travelling distance for a day out from Rossendale.  Some are full-day workshops whilst others are half-day, focusing on that ‘golden hour’ in the early morning and early evening.

Take a look at the following link to see a list of his workshops during 2012.  Early booking is advisable.

http://www.andylatham.co.uk/section428882.html

Mark Carwardine & Stephen Fry: 'Last Chance to See'

Did you see the TV series in 2009, ‘Last Chance to See’ with zoologist Mark Carwardine and presenter Stephen Fry?  It was a wonderful series with many magical moments and quite literally the last chance to see many of the species filmed unless conservation programmes can help them from becoming extinct - such as the Northern white rhino.

For Mark Carwardine, the chance to photograph the rare Kakapo on a special conservation island was too good an opportunity to miss and if you haven’t yet seen the programme then take a look at the short 3 minute clip on the following link:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004m51b

But moving on … Mark is giving a workshop  at the Wildlife & Wetlands Trust, Martin Mere on photographing wildlife.  There are 2 one-day workshops on  Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 May and you can take a look at the following link for more information.  At £140 for the day, the session isn’t cheap but it is about average for most photography days.  I have attended seminars at Martin Mere on previous occasions and they were very well organised.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/martin-mere/things-to-see-and-do/events-calendar/2012/05/12/creative-wildlife-photography-workshops-with-mark-carwardine/

Martin Mere is a good place to visit at any time of the year, both to watch birds and to try your hand at photographing them.

We were recently honoured and delighted to be entertained by Christine Widdall, President of the Lancashire & Cheshire Photographic Union.  Some of Christine’s pictures were taken at last year’s Gothic Festival  in Whitby (UK).  This is a twice-yearly event and in fact the 1997 Festival was dedicated to the memory of our local lass, Sophie Lancaster, who was brutally murdered in her home town simply because of the Gothic clothes she wore.

Christine’s photographs were all stunning, covering a range of landscapes, portraits, and still life and it was particularly interesting to hear the stories behind the Gothic photos that she took in Whitby.  A strong feature of these were the corsets worn by the ladies and indeed Christine was so taken with them that she is now the proud owner of a corset which she said she absolutely loves!  As I fast approach sixty I rather fancy making up for a lost youth and so for any other ladies out there who wish to join me in a rebellion, take a look at the following website.

If you are going to the Gothic Weekend in Whitby in 2012 we may bump into each other.  I shall be carrying a Nikon D300 and wearing this corset!

http://www.corsets-uk.com/?gclid=CJHjw5u_7K0CFYQLtAodFx7c6w

ps … don’t forget to check out our Category on the right of your screen:  Best Fish & Chips!

Ness Botanic Gardens

If you have never visited Ness Botanic Gardens on the Wirral Peninsula, maybe now is the time to make its acquaintance.

Take a look at the following link to find out more about them and to take part in their seasonal photographic competition starting in January and continuing throughout 2012: a good reason to make return visits throughout the coming year and see the garden in all its splendour.

http://www.nessgardens.org.uk/

Ness are offering various events and courses throughout the year – see their website for details.

Members might be interested in this photography exhibition entitled, ‘Shirley Baker Retrospective’ to be held in Salford Museum & Art Gallery until Sunday 4 March 2012.

Image from the Exhibition: Shirley Baker - Retrospective

The exhibition charts the social changes that took place in Salford during the 1960′s and into the new millennium.  My own father worked in Salford from 1961 until his retirement in the early eighties and I can recall some of the many changes that took place during this period.  I’m looking forward to seeing this exhibition!

http://www.salford.gov.uk/current-exhibitions.htm

Lacock Photography are promoting their training courses  set amidst these wonderful surroundings (next one 4 & 5 February) and you can find out more information by visiting the following link.

http://www.lacockphotography.com/training.html

Lacock, Wiltshire

A year in the life of a press photographer: Leon Neal

Afternoon All,

Regards

Steven

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-16180487

View across Dove Stones Reservoir

Earlier this week I was due to attend an organised walk with the Small Mammal Society, looking for Brown Hares and Mountain Hares around Dove Stone Reservoir on the edge of the Peak District.  Have you been?

If you aren’t already familiar with the place, I recommend you take a look at the Rspb website on the link below  There is a large car park, picnic area and toilet facilities (but no cafe) and dogs are allowed.  My short walk only gave me a glimpse of the area but there is a 3 mile circular route along a wheelchair/pushchair accessible footpath.  Or you can climb higher for a different viewpoint and some good views to be photographed!

If you visit, scan the hillsides for the beautiful Mountain Hare.

Sounds like a good photo opportunity if you can get close enough or a chance just to admire the wildlife and scenery through binoculars at a distance.

Here’s a link to the BBC Springwatch programme for a short film on the Mountain Hare:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Mountain_Hare#p007xbdb

If you spot either Brown Hares – or Mountain Hares, the Rspb on the following link would be pleased to hear about your sightings.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/d/dovestone/

If you have visited Dove Stones and have any tips for where to walk, or what to look out for, please let us know by writing in the box at the foot of the page.